Onset of Striations in Barium Clouds

Abstract

A numerical technique is used to solve equations which describe growth of a barium cloud in the ionosphere, including arbitrary end-shorting ratio $\lambda$. For $\lambda$ corresponding to actual releases, one finds growth of a limited range of wavelengths $k$ grouped around a maximum growing $k$. The growth rate and $k$ range are sensitive functions of electric field $E$ and $\lambda$. Stability occurs below a critical $E$ and for strong shorting. The growing modes are localized on the rear of the cloud. All modes are unstable for no shorting.